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Report: Global Road Safety Facility

Since its launch in March 2016, as a global road safety fund, the GRSF had focused on getting maximum value for the use of its donor funds by making a difference in how we invest in road safety. This is in line with our Strategic Objectives of developing capacity for sustainability in road safety results, promoting a global network of road safety funding, coordination and advocacy mechanisms, and leveraging development bank projects, particularly those of the GRSF host organization, the World Bank.

Motorized road transport imposes a large burden on population health, resulting in more than 1.5 million deaths and 79.6 million healthy years of life lost annually. Road injuries are responsible for most of the burden of motorized road transport, with 1.3 million deaths annually accounting for 95% of the healthy life years lost. Road crashes results in 78.2 million nonfatal injuries warranting medical care annually, with substantial resulting disability. With 90% of all road deaths and injuries occurring in low and middle income countries, the disability burden from road traffic crashes is absolutely and disproportionally a developing country major health issue.

Safe mobility is critical to achieving growth in the 21st century. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have prioritized transport solutions and investments towards helping countries achieve a safer, cleaner and affordable transport system for growth. This includes a focus on inclusiveness, and ensuring vulnerable users of road transport systems are protected. Road safety, a key indicator of two SDG goals (3.0 and 11.0) is now a recognized global development priority. Backed by the goals of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, two Global Ministerial Meetings, and increased action by the Multi-lateral Development Banks, the fight is on to save lives as road crashes represent a bigger global burden of disease than malaria, tuberculosis and even HIV/Aids in specific countries.